Catalogue

Summary:

Their names were Laura, Livia, and Anna. Together, they were known in the late 1500’s as the Tre Donne di Ferrara – the three ladies of Ferrara. Their ensemble was praised by contemporary poets and won highest renown throughout Italy and Germany. However, women were not supposed to become famous for their professional achievements. And so, one of them was murdered by her husband – a count – who went unpunished. Thus, this is a tale of revolutionary women ahead of their time, living in an era when women had no protections.

In this album, it has been my pleasure to collaborate with three extraordinary ladies of today – named Amanda, Amanda, and Amanda. The Amandas and I are proud to offer this homage to the unstoppable Italian women who broke the glass ceiling in 1580. We hope that their brilliance and boldness resound through this recording.

Tracklist:

I. Dance of Life

TRADITIONAL CATALAN, arr. J. Sorrell
1. El Cant dels Ocells 3:59
Francisco Fullana, violin

Attributed to STEFANO LANDI (1587–1639), arr. J. Sorrell
2. Passacaglia della Vita 5:05
Ms. Forsythe, Ms. Powell, Ms. Crider

II. In the Palace of Ferrara

ANDREA FALCONIERI (1586–1656), arr. R. Schiffer
3. Ciaccona in G Major, Primo Libro di Canzone & Sinfonie, 1650 2:45

LUZZASCHO LUZZASCHI (c.1545–1607)
4. Toccata del Quarto Tono 1:39
Parker Ramsey, baroque triple harp

LUZZASCHO LUZZASCHI, ed. J. Sorrell
5. Dolcezze amarissime (Trio for the Concerto delle Donne) 4:04
Ms. Forsythe, Ms. Powell, Ms. Crider

III. Love is too Much

ALESSANDRO PICCININI (1566–1638)
6. Toccata in G Minor 2:58
William Simms, theorbo

BIAGIO MARINI (1594–1663)
7. Passacalio à 4 in G Minor, Op. 22 No. 25 2:58

SAMUEL FRIEDRICH CAPRICORNUS (1628–1665), arr. J. Sorrell
8. O Felix Jucunditas, from Theatrum Musicium, 1669 4:03
Ms. Forsythe, Ms. Powell, Ms. Crider

BENEDETTO FERRARI (c.1603-1681)
9. Amanti, io so vi dire 4:41
Ms. Forsythe

BIAGIO MARINI
10. Sonata sopra Fuggi dolente core, Op. 22 No. 21 2:59

LUZZASCHO LUZZASCHI, ed. J. Sorrell
11. Troppo ben può questo tiranno (Trio for the Concerto delle Donne) 3:47
Ms. Forsythe, Ms. Powell, Ms. Crider

IV. Disdain

BARBARA STROZZI (1619-1677), ed. J. Sorrell
12. Che si può fare, Op. 8 4:21
Ms. Powell

CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI (1567-1643)
13. Quel sguardo sdegnosetto, from The Scherzi Musicali 2:29
Ms. Crider

VIRGILIO MAZZOCCHI (1597-1646)
14. Sdegno, campion audace 3:18
Ms. Forsythe

V. May I have this dance?

DIEGO ORTIZ (c.1510–c.1576), arr. J. Sorrell
Two Recercadas from Trattado de Glosas
15. Francisco Fullana, violin; René Schiffer, cello piccolo

JUAN ARAÑES (1580–1649), arr. J. Sorrell
17. Un Sarao de la Chacona 2:58
Ms. Forsythe, Ms. Powell, Ms. Crider

Total Duration: 57:23

Amanda Forsythe, Amanda Powell, sopranos
Amanda Crider, mezzo-soprano

Apollo’s Fire
Jeannette Sorrell, direction, harpsichord

with Francisco Fullana & Emi Tanabe, violin
Andrew Fouts, violin & viola | René Schiffer, cello
William Simms & Brian Kay, archlute, theorbo, & guitar
Parker Ramsay, baroque triple harp
Anthony Taddeo, percussion

Recorded at First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, Nov 6, 7, 9, & 10, 2020
Recording Producer and Editor: Erica Brenner
Recording, Mixing and Mastering Engineer: Daniel Shores